Haute 100 Los Angeles Update: Earvin “Magic” Johnson

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Far from losing his Magic touch, Earving “Magic” Johnson has been keeping busy with business ventures off the court.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson

Category: Athletes

Company: Basketball

Industry: Magic Johnson Enterprises

What Makes Him Haute: The retired athlete was one of the NBA’s finest players and the tallest point guard in league history at 6-foot, 9-inches. He now is a commentator for ESPN and strongly participates in HIV education. Magic Johnson Enterprises is a non-profit that represents and serves ethnically diverse communities, while Magic Johnson Foundation develops programs that support the educational, health and social needs of the underprivileged.What Makes Him Haute Now: Just because Johnson has long since retired from the NBA doesn’t mean he’s living life on the sidelines. This week he appeared on the “Lopez Tonight” show to talk about his $700 million chain of businesses. He currently owns “urban” versions of Starbucks in inner cities, explaining that he replaced typical Starbucks music with “soft R&B, Earth, Wind and Fire, Temptations, Marvin Gaye.” In addition, as co-manager of a real estate investment fund, Johnson’s company is partnering with two other firms to construct NorthPoint, a mixed-use development in Cambridge, Mass. Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds redevelops real estate in densely populated urban areas. The 44-acre site is expected to generate thousands of new jobs in the area. For those who can’t forget the Magic, his book “When the Game Was Ours,” co-authored with long-time rival and friend Larry Bird, is now out in paperback. The book chronicles the defining moments of both basket ball legends careers, from their days as adversaries to their present friendship. Johnson may be off the court but he’s very much still in the game.